Friday, August 17, 2012

THE HANGING OF THOMAS RILEY

Today we are at one of Gog's political rallys in the huge Fuseball Stadium.

THE GOD GAMES: Legend of Kor...Chapter Twelve
                                                                                                                                                               
The limousine stopped just short of the crowds of people and Gog struggled to get out of the back seat.

The huge crowd erupted into roars of Gog! Gog! Gog!

Between the people and Gog's dais was a newly-built gallows; deserted at the moment.

Gog lumbered up the stairs to the lectern and saluted the crowd, "Whale the Wales! Whale the Wales!" All the Selves responded, "Gog! Gog! Gog!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special treat for you today. Some of you may have heard that our soldiers were ambushed by the forces from Voun and soundly routed. This, of course, is a lie! We destroyed their troops within 10 minutes but, in order to undermine my authority, one of our soldiers started the rumor. He is a traitor against me, and against all of you who love me.

"I can handle that he undermines me, but I cannot tolerate that he would undermine your love for me!" Gog roared, smashing his fist down on the lectern.

"So today we are going to start the practice of hanging traitors in public places, and tonight will be our first hanging of a traitor. From this night forward, every traitor will be hung in public view."

There was whistling and stomping and wild orks from the crowd as they showed their total support of Gog's new policy. Then, "Gog! Gog! Gog!" and thoughts to "Kill! Kill! Kill!"  A hologram of hate filled the stadium.

There was a faint beating of drums, coming closer and closer and then a large military band playing a funeral march marched into the stadium and up to Gog's dais where they then played, "Hail to Gog." When they stopped playing they stood at attention before him.

KLOMP, KLOMP, KLOMP came the platoons of soldiers and cavalry. Around the stadium they marched, then came to a stop behind the band, and stood at attention.

"At ease!" said Gog, and all relaxed, and the soldiers and officers filled in the space surrounding the gallows.

"Give me your attention," said Gog, and all eyes were on him, and all was perfectly still.

Suddenly a small drum roll started, and a floodlight picked up the presence of a single figure, with a hood covering his head and his arms tied behind his back, surrounded on four sides by soldiers with their bayonets drawn.

Slowly, the condemned man walked to the gallows, looking neither to the left nor to the right, but straight down, as if begging the ground to swallow him up in the next step.

All of the participants reached the gallows and the soldiers goaded the condemned man up the stairs with the point of their bayonets. Thomas Riley stood motionless on top of the gallows until he was pushed under the hangman's noose, and the noose was put around his neck and tightened.

There was total silence in the whole stadium, and then Gog spoke again.

"This condemned man is known as Thomas Riley. He is guilty of treason and shall be hung for his crime tonight. Death to traitors!"

And the crowd began to shriek, "Death to traitors! Death to traitors! until the rhythm shook the grandstand.

"NOW!" commanded Gog, and the hangman released the trap door.

Private Thomas Riley, 19 years old, and having told only the strictest truth, swung in the evening breeze.

"Does any man, or woman, want to end up like this?" Gog demanded of the crowd.

"No!" screamed the crowd.

"Then do not become traitors!

"That is all for this evening my friends. Go to your homes in peace, knowing that a traitor in our midst has been eradicated and we are now free again."

Fireworks exploded in the night air; red, green, yellow, and blue. The colors reflected off of Mrs. Riley's tears as they streamed down her face..

Gog returned to his limousine, and rubbing his belly, he thought with great pleasure on how well his plan had worked. Now no Selve would dare to speak out against him.


Tomorrow the energynauts prepare to rejoin their friends and volunteer to work for their friends in any capacity needed.


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